Colombian Caribbean

Travel Just 4U's representative in Colombia will meet you at the airport upon arrival. They will be holding a sign with your name after you leave the secure area with your bags. 

They will escort you to your private transfer, assist you on check-in at your hotel and present you with a detailed itinerary for your experiences in Colombia. This is your chance to run through specific pick up times and logistics for your tours in the country. 

If you have any questions regarding your itinerary, ask them now.

Alfiz is a boutique hotel in Cartagena de Indias´s Old Town. Its restored colonial building offers rooms with modern amenities and décor from different historical periods. Free WiFi is provided.

The 4-star accomodation at Alfiz Hotel includes air conditioning and satellite flat-screen TV. It also offers a safe, a telephone and a minibar. Guests enjoy à la carte breakfast in the room or in the eating area.

Facilites comprise a reading room, a sun terrace and a swimming pool in an internal patio. Guests can schedule several tours organized by the hotel, such as a cultural walk by the Old Town.

This morning you will enjoy a half day visit to Cartagena starting with a panoramic view of the city from the Monasterio and Iglesia de La Popa. Formerly known as the “Popa del Galeon” and famous for resembling the stern of a galleon. Constructed in 1606 this church and monastery are located at a height of 140masl from where you can enjoy 360º views of the city, the sea as well as the port zone, one of the most important in the Caribbean. 

Continuing onto the San Felipe fortress, erected in honor of the poet from Cartagena, Don Luis Carlos López, made famous for his sonnet “A mi ciudad nativa”. It was built on the San Lázaro hill to defend the city from pirate attacks. You can walk around the fortress and learn how the castle was constructed, the engineering feats, the tunnels, underground galleries and passageways. Then, head to the Ciudad Vieja (old city) to visit the Convert and Church of the San Pedro Claver compound which was built in the middle of the XVII century and owes its name to the “apóstol de los esclavos”.

Lastly, follow to the handicrafts zone of the Bovedas, a collection of archways built into the city wall of Cartagena and that were used until the end of the 1700s to house armaments and then later as a prison in the XIX century. Nowadays it’s an artisan center to appreciate local handcraft. Afterwards you will be returned to your hotel to enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. 

Optional: Not included in starting price

This tour gives you deeper insight towards Cartagena focused on the alternative and cultural quarter and coolest barrio: Getsemani. The stories are told with present graffiti paintings with images of tropical scenes, palenqueras, and local flora and fauna.

This neighborhood has shaken off the gritty reputation, and turned to street-art as a way of incorporating the voice of local residents and artists into the fabric and the narrative of the city streets. Graffitis transformed the neighborhood in recent years, after the first Graffiti Festival in Getsemani that took place in December 2013.

Have a complete knowledge of the impressive history of Getsemani starting at the clock tower, from there, go to the street of La Sierpe (where all the murals are) and Trinidad Plaza, which has an historical, cultural and national value. Also walk on top of the city wall. The tour ends at Puerto Duro with a cultural explanation of the bus stop and the motorbike-taxis in front of the statue India Catalina and flower park.

Founded in 1533 on an original indigenous Caribe settlement, the Spanish conquistador Don Pedro de Heredia founded the city of “Cartagena de Poniente” to distinguish it from “Cartagena de Levante” in Spain. Later the city became known as “Cartagena de Indias” Just walking through its narrow yet remarkable streets there is enough to understand why Cartagena is in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This colonial area is split into three zones, the Centro, San Diego (both inside the wall city) and Getsemaní. Here are some interestings things to do while you are vistiting this very unquie city:

Ciudad Amurallada: Located in the heart of Cartagena, this ‘walled city‘, protected by a fortress, was once used to shelter the city from pirates and storms. Within this small sector you will find an incredible array of bars, restaurants, shops and some beautiful (and rather expensive) hotels.

Playa Blanca: Playa Blanca is undoubtedly one of Colombia’s most beautiful beaches. Located on Baru island, it is 45 minutes by boat from Cartagena port, or around a two-hour car journey from the main city. Crystal-clear waters lap the perfectly white sand and visitors have the option to spend a day relaxing on this incredible beach

Museo de Oro: Almost every large Colombia city has a gold museum, and Cartagena is no exception. Although it is small, the Museo de Oro hosts a fantastic collection of the gold and pottery of the Zenú (also known as Sinú) people.

Mercado de Bazurto: It’s loud, busy and pretty overwhelming, but for those travelers looking to experience the real Cartagena, a visit to Mercado de Bazurto is a must. This food market sells everything from fresh fruit to cooked turtle (which is discouraged by authorities but considered a traditional meal in many indigenous communities) 

Eat some incredible ceviche at La Cevichería: Regarded as one of the best ceviche and fish restaurants in the whole city, head to La Cevichería for a break from all the fritos (fried food) you’ve been eating and experience some incredible Peruvian-Colombian fusion food.

Today you will transfer to the islands of the Archipiélago del Rosario. The Rosario island is one of 46 national parks in Colombia and it was created to protect one of the most important coral reefs bordering the Colombian Caribbean coastline. The park covers 120,000 hectares and comprises the underwater shelf and the coral reefs to the west of the island of Barú, the reef that shields the Nuestra Señora del Rosario archipelago as well as the islands of Tesoro, Rosario, Múcura and Maravilla.

You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the pier to board the shared boat transfer for approximately one hour (45km.) During the transfer, you will be able to observe the impressive and beautiful landscapes of the islands with its clear waters and gentle breezes. Upon arrival to Rosario Island you will check in and have the rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the beautiful coastline and island. 

Located in Rosario Natural Park on the Caribbean ocean, a 55-minute speed boat ride from Santa Cruz Pier, this hotel offers free WiFi in public areas and guests can enjoy free welcome drinks.

At Hotel San Pedro de Majagua guests can go on bird watching trips, sign up for a diving course in the coral reefs or relax with a massage session. Barú Island is a 20-minute speed boat ride away.

Rooms at San Pedro are equipped with air conditioning, LCD cable TV, and styled in elegant tan hues. All rooms feature private bathrooms with free toiletries, showers and bathrobes. Some rooms include views of the sea and interior courtyards.

A continental breakfast with Colombian coffee and tropical fruits is served daily. The on-site restaurant offers sea food specialities. Room service is available at certain times of the day.

The Rosario and San Bernardo National Park is a Caribbean marine national park, some 45km to the southeast of the bay of Cartagena at approximately 1 hour away by boat. The average year-round temperature is a tropical 24.7 ºC. This is one of 46 national parks in Colombia and it was created to protect one of the most important coral reefs bordering the Colombian Caribbean coastline. It is the only park in the country that is primarily underwater. As such, the islands and surrounding waters are remarkably well preserved and protected, meaning that you can enjoy their wonders as nature intended. 

Although some of the islands are rocky or surrounded by mangroves, many of them are home to stunning, picture-perfect Caribbean beaches: the kind of beaches that you want to experience in the Caribbean – white sand, sparkling blue waters, a few palm trees, and not much else!

The food in Rosario island is delicious, the seafood available on the islands is about as good and as fresh as any you’re likely to find in Colombia.  It’s so plentiful that you even get fisherman anchoring their boats alongside yours to sell you some fresh-out-of-the-sea lobster or shellfish.

There is something for everyone on this island. For more adventurous travellers you can take a kayak out onto the sea, go diving, or sport-fishing, while the more relaxed visitors can easily idle away a day on the beach, chilling in a hammock, or sipping a cocktail while watching the sunset. A kayaking trip among the majestic mangrove tunnels of Isla Grande has a unique ecosystem and is common on the islands. 

You have the morning at leisure and in the afternoon you will be picked up from your hotel and taken back to Cartagena via boat.

Please Note: The entrance fee  to San Andres Island is not included and requires payment in cash only of the Tarjeta de Turismo- approx. value USD 37 per person

Everyone needs a place to lay their weary head. For travellers visiting San Andres Island, Cocoplum Beach Hotel is an excellent choice for rest and rejuvenation.

As your “home away from home,” the hotel rooms offer a flat screen TV, a refrigerator, and air conditioning, and getting online is easy, with internet access available.

Guests have access to 24 hour front desk, a concierge, and currency exchange while staying at Cocoplum Beach Hotel. In addition, Cocoplum Beach Hotel offers a pool and free breakfast, which will help make your San Andres Island trip additionally gratifying.

Nearby landmarks such as La Barracuda and Plaza Canon de Morgan make Cocoplum Beach Hotel a great place to stay when visiting San Andres Island. While in San Andres Island be sure to experience local ribs favourites at La Costilla de Juan.

The archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina is located to the northwest of the Colombian mainland in the Caribbean and was declared a UNESCO Biosphere reserve in 2000. It is believed that the islands were first discovered by Christopher Columbus on his second journey, but they were administered by the English from 1631. This led to a period of colonization, in particular, by people of African descent. In 1670 the infamous Welsh pirate Henry Morgan established his base on the island of Providencia and there are still some here who believe the legends that some of his treasures remain buried here. 

Due to the history of the archipelago the language spoken on the islands is a patois, the mixture of English and Spanish. San Andres Island is the largest island in the archipelago and is the administrative and financial centre. It has drawn in tourists for several decades and is well known for its beaches, some with pink coral in the sand, the sea of seven colours with its clear turquoise blue waters in varying tones. 

Today you have the day at your disposal to enjoy the beach and the activities available on the island such as a 10-minute boat trip out to Johnny Cay with its famed white sands and clear waters where palm trees heavy with coconuts line the shore. Johnny Cay is where you are able to see more than 30 different types of fish. 

The island also has an area called “playa de cedro” which aids against the erosion of the beaches from waves and strong winds making this the refuge on the island for many sea birds. You may also visit the Aquarium also known as Haynes Cay. This place gets its name from the ring of coral that has been created making a natural aquarium full of multicoloured tropical fish.

Please Note: The luggage restriction is 10kg for checked luggage and 3kg of carry-on luggage. It is possible to leave the additional luggage in lockers at the airport in San Andres.

Located in front of the sea in Providencia Island, the boutique hotel offers rooms with panoramic sea views, a restaurant, and a deck with panoramic views on Providencia Island.

Rooms in Deep Blue feature private bathrooms with hot water, minibar, flat-screen cable TV, and most rooms have a balcony with sea views. Room service is provided.

Guests at Deep Blue can enjoy breakfasts, lunch or dinner at the seaside restaurant. The hotel offers a seaside deck with sunbeds and direct access to the sea. A rooftop terrace and a small infinity pool are also available. There is no sandy beach in the immediate vicinity of the hotel but guests can still swim, snorkel or kayak in the sea. Various beaches are within a 15 minute vehicle ride, the hotel offers guests a once daily complimentary beach shuttle service or guests can rent a buggy vehicle or scooter to get around. 

Scuba diving can be organized. The nearest scuba dive shop is 500m away. Other activities in the area such as snorkeling, hiking, fishing, kayaking and boat trips can be organized for an extra fee. 

Providencia Island offers beautiful landscapes and makes up part of the second largest coral reef in the northern hemisphere. The island is known for its colonial history, its inhabitants, its Caribbean style colourful wooden slat houses and its tranquility.

Today is a free day for enjoy spending time on the beach or exploring other beaches on the island. It is suggested that you pay a to visit Santa Catalina Island connected to Providencia by a beautiful and brightly painted wooden bridge called the “Puente de Amor” 

Or you may want to take a boat ride to explore the hidden bays on the island. Declared a protected biosphere by UNESCO this is one of the most accessible and well preserved coral reefs in the world.

Today is another day in paradise for you. You have a free day  to spend how you like. You can continue spending time on the beach or exploring other beaches on the island. We suggest that you make the hike up to the “Peak” a 360m high point on the island to admire fine 360-degree views of the island, the coral reefs and the multi-colour sea. Most of the freshwater found on the island is found here on this mountain. On the hike you will walk through a rainforest that is home to many species of tropical birds.